Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific team up on Hong Kong-NZ routes

CATHAY PACIFIC and Air New Zealand have reached an agreement on services operated by both airlines between New Zealand and Hong Kong, effective January 31.

The deal struck between the two airlines has received the required regulatory approval and is expected to generate a wide range of benefits for consumers.

Under the deal, both airlines will codeshare on all their services between New Zealand and Hong Kong. Improved and better-coordinated flight schedules are expected to increase connection opportunities and enhance connectivity to destinations in China via Hong Kong and beyond Auckland resulting in greater convenience for customers, a joint company statement said.

Said Air New Zealand CEO Rob Fyfe: "Hong Kong is a key strategic Pacific Rim port and an important gateway to mainland China for Air New Zealand. This agreement with Cathay Pacific will provide a huge range of additional connections through Hong Kong to mainland China, as well as access to better-value fares on these connections on Cathay Pacific or its sister airline Dragonair."

Said Cathay CEO John Slosar: "We are pleased to enter into this agreement with Air New Zealand which will help us explore further the great potential of this market. This new agreement will open up a vast range of potential opportunities for the two airlines to maximise synergies and better meet customers' needs."